Problems get a bad rap. We’re all clear on the negativity around problems, but we don’t appreciate their positive character. It’s time we use their powers for good. One of the least popular characteristics of problems is their selfishness. Like the friend who shows up for dinner unannounced, problems, left......
Not Invented Here (NIH) is ever-present and misunderstood. An operational definition of NIH: Group 1 creates new thinking that falls within the official domain of Group 2. When presented with the new thinking, Group 2 rejects it. It is said Group 2 rejects new thinking because they’re threatened. But that’s......
Creativity generates things that are novel and useful. Make them successful, and you’ve got innovation. There can be no innovation without creativity. We associate creativity with innate ability that only some have; with transparent happenings that can’t be codified; with eureka moments that come from the subconscious. If anything defies......
Some thoughts on vacation: Take fewer longer vacations at the expense of shorter ones. Work hard, but on something else. On route to your destination, throw your cell phone from a moving vehicle. Forget about your work so you can do it better when you return. Don’t check in at......
The more work I do with innovation, the more I believe mindset is the most important thing. Here’s what I believe: Doing new doesn’t take a lot of time; it’s getting your mind ready that takes time. Engineers must get over their fear of doing new. Without a problem there......
Engineers hate uncertainty. (More precisely, it scares us to death.) And our role in the company is to snuff it out at every turn, or so we think. To shield ourselves from uncertainty, we take refuge in our analyses. We create intricate computer wizardry to calm our soles. We tell......
Independence for a country is about choice. A country wants to be able to make choices to better itself, to control its own destiny. A country wants to feel like it has freedom to do what it thinks is right. Hopefully, a country thinks it’s a good to provide for......
If lean has taught us anything, it’s smaller is better. Smaller machines, smaller factories, smaller teams, smaller everything. The famous Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neill, said all politics are local. He meant all action happens at the lowest levels (in the districts and neighborhoods), where everyone knows everyone, where......
Regardless of industry, product, or country, we’re in the people business. Got a problem? Problems are solved by people, and our first word is usually – who. Who has fixed something like this before? Who can make the problem go away? Who has the chops to pull it off? Our......
Shipulski On Design
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The Shipulski On Design
